Chapter 45: Reinforcement 5

Elania’s heart raced as Arlois stood.

“Clear the hall,” the Purple Wing commanded, her gaze sweeping over the assembled crowd. “The trial by combat will begin immediately.”

What? Here? Now?

Lyra’s blue wings unfurled, and she leaped from her pillar, landing gracefully in the center of the chamber. Elania swallowed hard, her palms slick with sweat as Arlois called her to the floor.

A Silver approached Yolani, his hand outstretched. “You’ll need to leave,” he said, his tone brooking no argument.

Elania stepped forward, jaw set. “She stays with me,” she said. “She’s my oracle.”

Arlois nodded to the guard, gaze flicking to Yolani. “She may remain.”

As Elania entered the chamber, memories of Arlois’ painful demonstration flashed through her mind, sending a shiver down her spine. She clenched her fists, trying to steady her nerves.

Ember’s voice cut through the tension. “Personal combat would be entirely unfair.”

Elysia shook her head. “Personal combat is an honored tradition,” she countered, her gaze fixed on Elania.

Arlois held up a hand, silencing the debate. “Such a fight would have a predetermined outcome,” she said. “It goes against the spirit of the law itself.”

Lyra’s glare burned into Elania, her lips curling into a sneer. “Then she should forfeit.”

A sly smile played across Arlois’ face as she turned to Elysia. “It’s also tradition for the defendant to have a choice of venue and weapons.”

Elysia nodded in reluctant agreement as Lyra’s scowl deepened.

“I suggest,” Arlois continued, her gaze shifting to Elania, “that they battle via a game of chance. Throwing magically inert dice while the council ensures integrity.”

Elania’s jaw dropped, her eyes widening in disbelief.

Were they going to “trial-by-combat” via a dice game?

Elania drew in a deep breath. “I accept. We can decide it with dice.”

“This is absurd,” Lyra said, her wings drooping. “A game of chance is no way to decide such a matter!”

Arlois’ smile only widened. “On the contrary,” she said. “It is the fairest of combats: one of luck. No skill, no strength, no advantage.”

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Elania’s gaze flicked to Elysia and Ember, waiting for their response, but they remained silent, their expressions unreadable.

Arlois turned to Elania, her brow arched. “What say you, Elania? Do you agree that this is fair?”

Elania met Lyra’s gaze, her jaw set. “I think it’s fine.” Maybe a fight would have generated less anxiety, though.

Arlois grinned. “Then it’s settled,” she declared, reaching into her pouch. “As the defendant agrees, we shall proceed.”

Elania watched as Arlois pulled out two cups and six dice. The woman had planned this all along.

Arlois held out the cup, her gaze sweeping over the assembled Towers. “Confirm for all to see that these dice are magically inert and free of any defect.”

Elania stared at the dice. She had no idea how to tell if they were magically inert or not. But the other Towers seemed satisfied, nodding their approval.

All eyes fell on Elania, and she swallowed hard. “It’s fine.”

Arlois turned to Elysia and Ember, her expression serious. “Can you certify and watch the dice,” she asked, “to ensure that no outside effects attempt to manipulate them?”

Elysia and Ember nodded, their gazes fixed on the cup in Arlois’ hand.

Lyra moved to stand across from Elania. “Let’s get this over with.”

Arlois cleared her throat. “The rules are as follows: You will be playing a modified game of ‘soldier,’ best two out of three.”

“Each player will have three dice,” Arlois continued, holding up the cup. “You will each roll, with each die turning up a number from one to six. The players will see each other’s dice, then hide them. You will play one die at a time, with the higher die winning the round. Both dice will be placed in the victor’s capture pile.”

Elania’s gaze flicked to Yolani, who gave her a reassuring nod, her eyes shining with determination.

“The winner of the match will be the one who has the most dice once all pieces have been captured,” Arlois said.

Elania swallowed hard, as she tried to process the rules. It seemed simple enough. There was room for a little strategy, but it would rely heavily on luck.

“Do both parties understand the rules?” Arlois asked.

Lyra nodded. “I understand.”

Elania drew in a deep breath, her jaw set. “I understand,” she said.

Arlois grinned. “Then let the game begin,” she declared, holding out the two cups to both of them.

She reached out to take the cup then glanced at Lyra, who glared back at her. The other demi-divine’s eyes stormed with a barely contained tsunami. They both sat down in the central circle of the hall, opposite one another.

Elania shook the cup, the dice rattling inside. She closed her eyes, sending a silent prayer to whatever gods might be listening.

Actually, was she supposed to pray to herself now? How fucked up would that be.

Finally, she tipped the cup, the dice spilling out onto the stone floor with a clatter.

Lyra threw her dice at the same time.

Arlois stepped forward. “Elania rolls a four, a three, and a two,” she announced, her gaze sweeping over the assembled Towers. “Lyra rolls a six, a five, and a one.”

Elania’s stomach dropped as she assessed her disadvantage. Lyra’s smirk only grew wider as she eyed her higher numbers.

The Sapphire Shroud took the round.

Lyra leaned back, a victorious gleam in her eye. She looked like a cat who had just caught a juicy mouse.

Arlois cleared her throat, her gaze flicking to Elania. “The second round will begin.”

Drawing in a deep breath, Elania centered herself, pushing down the frustration. She picked up her cup, ready to roll.

Again, the dice clattered against the stone, and Arlois stepped forward to announce the results. “Elania rolls a six, a five, and a two,” she declared. “Lyra rolls a four, a three, and a two.”

Elania felt a flicker of hope. She’d win.

Lyra was not happy when she lost, and her anger was palpable.

Arlois stepped forward. “Both parties have a match point. This will be the final round.”

Elania locked eyes with Lyra, and they both held up their dice cups.

Chance spilled onto the council chamber’s floor a third time.